Loala cried, "But this is impossible, Steve of Emmeity! Never has Daan supremacy been so threatened—"
"Never before," Steve reminded her, "did Slumberers awake. Nor ever again shall this happen. You have said yourself it is inevitable that at some future time Earth must be free. Now I bargain with you that we earthmen cease our efforts to accomplish this immediately, and you Daans refrain from destroying the human seed which shall, perhaps centuries hence when you and I are dust, liberate itself.
"Surely you see, my Lady Loala," he wheedled, "that what the future may bring concerns us not. We seek only our present happiness—"
The Lady Loala was swayed. Her eyes mirrored indecision. She whispered, "But—but the Supreme Council—"
"Is weak," said Steve, "and you are strong, wielding great power over them. Hark, my Lady. Who is to say but that someday you and I, working side by side together, may not even rise to the posts of supreme authority now held by the decadent trio? Then could we not work out for both our planets a new design for living?"
"Hush!" warned Loala nervously. "You speak treason, Steve of Emmeity! To rise against the Supreme Council—"
"Is not folly," pleaded Steve. "You know as well as I that one sharp blow would depose them. And if the new brain you give me has daring and sincerity, this you and I can do together."
"Yes," whispered the Lady Loala. "You and I together. It is possible, Steve of Emmeity."
"Then you will do it? And even the ringleaders you will allow to go free? My friend, the one known as Chuck ... the priestess Beth...?"